Can I fix my washing machine?

[nonlinear]

we were doing some laundry and the washer started making a squealing noise. we went in there, and there was a burned rubber smell, and the tub inside wasn't moving (in spin cycle). I'm guessing a belt broke or something in the washer... has anyone here had that problem? is it something I can fix on my own, or do I need to call a repair man (and if so, what do they usually charge for that job).

it's a mid-90s stackable washer/dryer combo, looks pretty cheap so it might be better to buy a new unit

[n1zm0]

its one of the bearings that usually goes, makes the squealing too, we got fed up with the sears mfkers always taking rainchecks, so one day me and my brother flipped the washer on its back and saw the burnt out bearing (really cheap ass too, half plastic half metal!, plastic!)

[justincalgary]

Just call a repairman, I doubt it is the bearing it sounds like the belt and to change it you need to loosen the motor to be able to get the belt around the pulleys. Then you need to reef on the motor to get the belt tight while you are tightening the bolt. Not a fun job.

[Bimmer88]

Whats the brand?

If Whirlpool or any of the 13 brands Whirlpool owns, call (403)255-9647 Southland Crossing TV & Appliance Repair Center.

Sounds like a basket drive assembly, the brakes in there are engaged and it seems that its not willing to let go.

[nonlinear]

^^it's a White-Westinghouse

[Thaco]

I've had the same thing happen, it was the bearing on the tub, i got it half ripped apart and then realized it wasn't worth fixing, ended up parting out some of the parts and bought a new refurb...


it was caused by the washer not being balanced... apparently it wears on the bearings quite a bit.

[nonlinear]

^^that's my concern... i don't wanna call in a repairman and have him charge me $100 to tell me i need a new washer. i think i'm gonna try and take off the front panel tonight, and see if i can diagnose the problem. if it's a belt, i'll call a dude in, and if it looks like the bearings or something else, i'll just get a new unit.

ahh, the joys of home ownership.

[Kloubek]

If it's just a belt, you can probably replace it yourself and save the money.

[nonlinear]

all right, so i just pulled the stackable unit out of the little space it's in, and found out that the dryer exhaust blows into some weird little plastic box that's just sitting on the floor. this is a condo, but i would at least expect the venting to be done properly! is this normal? i mean, the box is a manufactured product, but that just seems to dangerous! no wonder it gets so hot when i run the dryer

[Thaco]

Originally posted by nonlinear
all right, so i just pulled the stackable unit out of the little space it's in, and found out that the dryer exhaust blows into some weird little plastic box that's just sitting on the floor. this is a condo, but i would at least expect the venting to be done properly! is this normal? i mean, the box is a manufactured product, but that just seems to dangerous! no wonder it gets so hot when i run the dryer

anyhow, does anyone know how to remove the front panel on the washer?

That box is called a ventless dryer box, it's supposed to trap the lint so you dont need an exterior venting, i thought it was illegal in canada though (but i could very well be wrong)...

Anyways, if it's a front load washer you have to take the dryer off the top to get in to the washer insides, first thing to do is look for a line of grease spatter on the inside of the washer, that'll indicate a bearing is toast, and if the belt has just "fallen off" dont assume that's the only problem, when this happened to mine i assumed that, ended up spending $30 on a belt only for the new belt to fall off because the belt was not the problem, the bearings were.

[nonlinear]

anyhow, I got the front panel off, and as soon as I looked inside I saw this broken wheel thing (is that the bearing you guys talked about?). it's plastic and metal, and the plastic has worn/melted through on one side. looks pretty dangerous, like it could've started a fire or something! i'm not sure if there's more broken shit inside there as i just grabbed this and ran out to the computer.

what is this, and how do i fix it? (i'm gonna call a repair dude anyhow, but i'm just curious)

http://g.imagehost.org/t/0528/P1010004.jpg (http://g.imagehost.org/view/0528/P1010004)

http://g.imagehost.org/t/0953/P1010005.jpg (http://g.imagehost.org/view/0953/P1010005)

http://g.imagehost.org/t/0791/P1010006.jpg (http://g.imagehost.org/view/0791/P1010006)

http://g.imagehost.org/t/0042/P1010007.jpg (http://g.imagehost.org/view/0042/P1010007)

[Thaco]

looks like the belt carrier... maybe soemthing jammed the tub and the belt melted through the carrier...

check the motor and the tub, one of them is likely missing the belt spot.

[nonlinear]

hey man, yea i just checked that and the belt is misaligned on the motor (part of it is in the carrier and part is out). the belt is pretty tight though, and i'm having a hard time turning anything to get the belt back on. i can't see it too well, but it seems to me that the belt carrier is still on the motor... unless there is 2 carriers?

[Thaco]

i'd say leave it open and run it a bit to see what the tub does when the motor tries to spin it.

[jaylo]

Originally posted by nonlinear
hey man, yea i just checked that and the belt is misaligned on the motor (part of it is in the carrier and part is out). the belt is pretty tight though, and i'm having a hard time turning anything to get the belt back on. i can't see it too well, but it seems to me that the belt carrier is still on the motor... unless there is 2 carriers?

Any luck with the fix? I might be on the same boat as well. Also, does anyone have a recommended parts store up North West? Thanks

[Stunt66]

If any of you guys are looking for a smaller set i have a kenmore front load washer and dryer that I can sell you pretty cheap. Both are in really good shape and have been used for 2 years. $650 for both.
http://www.sears.ca/gp/product/B000NCO9AW/sr=1-1/qid=1236699280/ref=sr_1_1/191-1246961-2835652?ie=UTF8&searsBrand=core&mqnodeid=398507011
http://www.sears.ca/gp/product/B000NQ54C0/sr=1-8/qid=1236699422/ref=sr_1_8/191-1246961-2835652?ie=UTF8&searsBrand=core&mqnodeid=396507011